BARBIE has made a huge announcement, bringing out a brand new doll with a very common illness that impacts thousands of Irish.
For years, the underrepresentation of different types of looks and illnesses in dolls was something that was spoken about often.
The doll is modelled after and honours English model Lila Moss, who is a type 1 diabetes advocate[/caption]
The doll is a first of its kind[/caption]
Many young kids would play with dolls that all looked similar, but didn’t necessarily look like or represent them.
In recent years, toy manufacturers have been leading the way in making children feel represented with the toys they play with.
Now, the Barbie Fashionistas line features more than 175 looks with various skin tones, eye colours, hair colours and textures, body types, disabilities, and fashion styles.
There is also the Blind Barbie doll, a Black Barbie doll with Down Syndrome, a Barbie doll with Hearing Aids, a Barbie doll with Prosthetic Limbs, a Barbie doll with Vitiligo and Barbie dolls in Wheelchairs.
Now, Barbie is taking it a step further, launching a doll with a very common illness.
In a first of its kind, this new Barbie doll will have type 1 diabetes.
The huge company is partnering with Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF), the leading global research and advocacy organisation for type 1 diabetes.
It is being developed in an effort to allow more kids to see themselves represented and reflected, and encourage children to engage in doll play that extends beyond a child’s lived experience.
Aaron J. Kowalski, Ph.D., CEO of Breakthrough T1D said: “We were thrilled when Barbie approached us to collaborate on the development of the Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes.
“I have lived with T1D since I was 13, and my brother since he was 3, so this partnership is deeply personal – it means the world to be part of bringing greater visibility to a condition that affects so many families.
PERFECT DETAILING
“It’s an honor to work with a brand that shares our commitment to showing children that a life with type 1 diabetes can be full, vibrant, and empowering.”
Every single detail will be recognised by those who live with the condition, from the medical equipment all the way down to the dress pattern.
The new dolls will include:
- A Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM): The doll wears a CGM on her arm to help manage her type 1 diabetes. CGMs are small, wearable devices that continuously measure a person’s blood-sugar levels. To keep her CGM in place, she uses heart-shaped medical tape – Barbie pink, of course – along with a phone that displays a CGM app to help track her blood sugar levels throughout the day.
- An Insulin Pump: Barbie has an insulin pump, a small, wearable medical device that allows for automated insulin dosing as needed, attached to her waist.
- A Blue Polka Dot Outfit: The doll wears a stylish polka dot top and matching skirt with ruffles. Both the colour blue and circle print are nods to the global symbols that represent diabetes awareness.
- A Purse: The doll comes with a pastel blue purse, perfect for Barbie to carry any essentials, such as type 1 diabetes supplies or snacks, when she’s on the go.
The doll is modelled after and honours English model Lila Moss, who is a type 1 diabetes advocate and daughter of Kate Moss.
Lila said: “I am proud to use my platform to educate around type 1 diabetes and show that being different is cool.
“Receiving messages from people who see my patches and feel represented means everything to me.
“To be able to now see Barbie dolls with T1D, and to receive a Barbie doll that visibly looks like me even wearing her patches, is both surreal and special.”
ALLOWING KIDS TO SEE THEMSELVES REPRESENTED
Krista Berger, Senior Vice President of Barbie and Global Head of Dolls said: “Introducing a Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes marks an important step in our commitment to inclusivity and representation.
“Barbie helps shape children’s early perceptions of the world, and by reflecting medical conditions like T1D, we ensure more kids can see themselves in the stories they imagine and the dolls they love.”
The Barbie brand has also honoured US type 1 diabetes advocate Robin Arzón.
It’s believed that between 20,000 and 30,000 people in Ireland have type 1 diabetes.
The autoimmune condition causes the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood to become too high.
This causes the immune system to attack and destroy the cells that produce insulin, the hormone which keeps the glucose in the blood at the correct range.
The only treatment available is insulin, and you may require daily injections or need to use an insulin pump once diagnosed.
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes can come on quickly, especially in children.
SYMPTOMS
- feel very thirsty
- pee more than usual, particularly at night
- feel very tired
- lose weight without trying
- have thrush that keeps coming back
- have blurred vision
- have cuts and grazes that are not healing
Your GP will take some blood samples and check your blood glucose (sugar) level.
It’s important to get it checked, as there is a risk of short and long-term complications which can include highs and lows in blood sugar, damage to the kidneys, eyes, nerves, and heart, and even death.
Globally, it impacts almost 9 million people, and there is currently no cure.
The 2025 Barbie Fashionistas dolls, including the Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes, will be available on Mattel Shop and retailers nationwide for €13.99.
The Barbie brand has also honoured US type 1 diabetes advocate Robin Arzón[/caption]
The dolls feature accurate medical equipment[/caption]
